You can lead a horse…
I've started this post several times but it seems to always fall flat. So here's hoping this one goes all the way to the "post" tab.
The old proverb, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" has been front and center for me lately. Yes, we can provide the solution but we can't force someone to accept it. We can teach but can't force the learning.
We see this proverb realized in fields such as addiction services and counseling or as we strive to mentor the next generation or parent our children. Financial educators will teach someone about budgeting and watch them ignore the principles as they blow another paycheck. You can lead a horse to water.........The examples are endless.
I have to admit it's frustrating. At CDP we offer great tools that are left unapplied. We create economic, efficient and effective solutions that even when purchased too often sit on a shelf. So for those of us in the business of teaching, educating, coaching and coming alongside others on their journey....let's remember and consider this:
1. People have free will. We can't take that from people. People can choose well or poorly but they get to choose. They can learn and still make bad decisions. We can't force our will on others, even when we see a better path so clearly.
2. Our job is to plant seeds -- good seeds. That's it. Plant. We can't force the harvest. Control what you can, i.e., the quality of the seed, and know that some seeds will blow away, some will fall on rocky soil and some will take root.
3. Metrics have to be reasonable. I can't measure the excellence of my work by something over which I have no control. I can't change the world or your nonprofit organization. I CAN make sure our work is done well. I CAN make sure we use proven practice or strategies and deliver the highest quality products and services. But I have to set metrics and indicators that I can control and measure our work against those.
There are lots of lessons around this proverb that I continue to learn, but this is a start. I promise you that I will do my best to lead your nonprofit or social enterprise to good water but then it's up to you.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
